Aviation News – The Indonesian Air Force has ordered 12 PC-24 jets and 24 PC-21 trainer aircraft from Pilatus during the Singapore Airshow, marking a significant expansion of its pilot training capabilities.
The aircraft were acquired through broker E-system Solution FZ, the same intermediary previously used in Indonesia’s M-346FA fighter trainer procurement. The PC-24 jets will primarily be used to train pilots who operate the air force’s liaison and VIP transport fleet, while the PC-21 advanced trainers are expected to gradually replace the aging KT-1 trainer aircraft, which first entered Indonesian service in 2003.
The PC-21 is a high-performance turboprop trainer designed to prepare pilots for modern combat aircraft by simulating advanced avionics, flight characteristics, and mission profiles. The PC-24, often referred to as the world’s first “super versatile jet,” can operate from short or unpaved runways and offers flexibility for training, transport, and special missions. Together, the aircraft will help modernize Indonesia’s pilot training pipeline and improve operational readiness.
